Robust Hg0.023WO3 nanoparticles: Synthesis, characterization and application as relative humidity sensing material and photocatalyst for degradation of organic dye contamination

Hg0.023WO3 nanoparticles prepared by economic and tranquil co-precipitation method was characterized by Powder X-Ray diffraction (XRD) for structural analysis, Energy dispersive X-Ray analysis (EDX) for elemental analysis, Scanning electron microscopy for morphology, DLS for particle size analysis, Ultra violet (UV) absorption spectra, Photoluminescence spectra for optical absorption properties, humidity sensor for sensing ability and photocatalytic efficiency by photocatalytic studies. The humidity sensing ability was measured corresponding to resistivity of the prepared material that provides the sensitivity factor (S-f) which was 736 for the synthesized nanoparticles. It was analyzed to have the quick response and recovery characteristics with narrow hysteresis. The Photocatalytic activity was estimated by degradation of Rhodamine B (Rh B) dye using synthesized Hg0.023WO3 nanoparticles under visible light illumination. The degradation rate was found to be high and the efficiency was 98.47% that seem to be wise for the photocatalyst material. Based on validation of the data, the Hg0.023WO3 nanoparticles seem to act as humidity sensor and an excellent photocatalyst. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.